Atoms on the edge

Physicists directly observed ultracold atoms in an 'edge state,' flowing along a boundary without resistance. The research could help physicists manipulate electrons to flow without friction in materials that could enable super-efficient transmission of energy and data.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240906234106.htm

Atoms on the edge

Physicists directly observed ultracold atoms in an 'edge state,' flowing along a boundary without resistance. The research could help physicists manipulate electrons to flow without friction in materials that could enable super-efficient transmission of energy and data.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240906234106.htm

'Ice bucket challenge' reveals that bacteria can anticipate the seasons

Bacteria use their internal 24-hour clocks to anticipate the arrival of new seasons, according to research carried out with the assistance of an 'ice bucket challenge.'

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240906141743.htm

'Some pterosaurs would flap, others would soar' -- new study further confirms the flight capability of these giants of the skies

Some species of pterosaurs flew by flapping their wings while others soared like vultures, demonstrates a new study. Findings include a new pterosaur with a five-meter wingspan, which is one of the most complete pterosaurs ever recovered from Afro-Arabia.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240906141730.htm

100x improvement in sight seen after gene therapy trial

The vision of people with a rare inherited condition that causes them to lose much of their sight early in childhood was 100 times better after they received gene therapy to address the genetic mutation causing it. Some patients even experienced a 10,000-fold improvement in their vision after receiving the highest dose of the therapy, according to researchers.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240906141608.htm

Scientists make tissue of living animals see-through

In a pioneering new study, researchers made the skin on the skulls and abdomens of live mice transparent by applying to the areas a mixture of water and a common yellow food coloring called tartrazine.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240905143615.htm

Gravitational waves unveil previously unseen properties of neutron stars

A better understanding of the inner workings of neutron stars will lead to a greater knowledge of the dynamics that underpin the workings of the universe and also could help drive future technology. A new study details how new insights into how dissipative tidal forces within double -- or binary -- neutron star systems will inform our understanding of the universe.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240905131242.htm

Travel could be the best defense against aging

Forget about retinol night creams, researchers believe travel could be the best way to defy premature aging. An interdisciplinary study has applied the theory of entropy to tourism, finding that travel could have positive health benefits, including slowing down the signs of aging.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240905121025.htm

Fungus-controlled robots tap into the unique power of nature

In creating a pair of new robots, researchers cultivated an unlikely component, one found on the forest floor: fungal mycelia. By harnessing mycelia's innate electrical signals, the researchers discovered a new way of controlling 'biohybrid' robots that can potentially react to their environment better than their purely synthetic counterparts.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904192325.htm

How Earth's most intense heat wave ever impacted life in Antarctica

An atmospheric river brought warm, moist air to the coldest and driest corner of the planet in 2022, pushing temperatures 70 degrees above average. A new study reveals what happened to Antarctica's smallest animals.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904141509.htm

Distorted galaxy forming cosmic question mark

It's 7 billion years ago, and the universe's heyday of star formation is beginning to slow. What might our Milky Way galaxy have looked like at that time? Astronomers have found clues in the form of a cosmic question mark, the result of a rare alignment across light-years of space.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904141506.htm

Agriculture accelerated human genome evolution to capture energy from starchy foods

Scientists have suspected that modern humans have more genes to digest starch than our hunter-gatherer ancestors, but the amylase locus of the genome is hard to study. Researchers have now developed new methods to isolate the multiple amylase genes and compare the locus to ancient genomes. They found that amylase gene number has increased from an average of eight to more than 11 over the past 12,000 years.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904141503.htm

Researchers identify mechanism underlying allergic itching, and show it can be blocked

Researchers identified a mechanism for why some people will itch from an allergen or mosquito bite exposure, while others will not in a new study, and showed this pathway can be targeted to prevent allergic responses in preclinical models.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904131044.htm

Prescribing nature can improve happiness and reduce anxiety

Green Social Prescribing is the practice of supporting people with mental health needs to engage in nature-based activities. Referrals will typically come from GPs, community mental health teams, or social workers, but people can also self-refer. Social Prescribing Link Workers, and other trusted professionals, then connect people to community groups and agencies for practical and emotional support. There are many different types of nature-based activities and therapies, including conservation, horticulture and gardening, care farming, exercise and sports, or talking therapies in the outdoors.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904131016.htm

Levels of one 'forever chemical' are increasing in groundwater

Rain and water in ponds and lakes slowly seeps into the soil, moving through minute cracks to refill underground aquifers. Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often described as forever chemicals, can tag along into groundwater that's later removed for drinking. Researchers analyzed water from over 100 wells in Denmark for one particularly persistent PFAS: trifluoroacetate. They report steadily increasing levels of the forever chemical in recent decades.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904130857.htm

Novel immunotherapy improves recovery from spinal cord injury

Researchers have designed, in mice, an approach to minimizing the damage from a spinal cord injury through the use of engineered immune cells. Mice given the treatment had improved recovery from injuries, demonstrating potential for developing the therapy for people.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904130812.htm

Novel immunotherapy improves recovery from spinal cord injury

Researchers have designed, in mice, an approach to minimizing the damage from a spinal cord injury through the use of engineered immune cells. Mice given the treatment had improved recovery from injuries, demonstrating potential for developing the therapy for people.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240904130812.htm

Assorted, distinctive behavior of molten uranium salt revealed by neutrons

New research addresses the fundamental science necessary to increase the efficiency of nuclear energy. Researchers have now documented the unique chemistry dynamics and structure of high-temperature liquid uranium trichloride salt, a potential nuclear fuel source for next-generation reactors.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240903145001.htm

Gigantic asteroid impact shifted the axis of Solar System's biggest moon

Around 4 billion years ago, an asteroid hit the Jupiter moon Ganymede. Now, a researcher realized that the Solar System's biggest moon's axis has shifted as a result of the impact, which confirmed that the asteroid was around 20 times larger than the one that ended the age of the dinosaurs on Earth, and caused one of the biggest impacts with clear traces in the Solar System.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240903144929.htm

Young adults let down by 'postcode lottery' for ADHD treatment in UK

A UK survey has found huge variation in treatment for ADHD, highlighting the struggle many young adults face once they turn 18. Researchers have warned that the current system is failing many young adults as they transition from children's to adult's services -- suddenly finding themselves unable to access treatment because services do not link up effectively.

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/09/240902200800.htm